It is mainly practiced in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and a few other Asian countries.
A Kolam is a geometrical line drawing composed of curved loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots. In South India, it is widely practised by female Hindu family members in front of their homes.
Kolams are thought to bring prosperity to homes. Every morning in Tamil Nadu, millions of women draw kolams on the ground with white rice powder. Through the day, the drawings get walked on, rained out, or blown around in the wind; new ones are made the next day. Every morning before sunrise, the floor of the owners house, or where ever it may be, is cleaned with water and the muddy floor is swept well for an even surface. The kolams are generally drawn while the surface is still damp so that it is held better.
Decoration was not the sole purpose of a Kolam. In olden days, kolams used to be drawn in coarse rice flour, so that the ants don't have to walk that much for a meal. The rice powder is said to invite birds and other small critters to eat it, thus inviting other beings into one's home and everyday life: a daily tribute to harmonious co-existence. It is a sign of invitation to welcome all into the home, not the least of whom is Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity.
The patterns range between geometric and mathematical line drawings around a matrix of dots to free form art work and closed shapes."
During Ganesh, I saw kolam in and in front of the hotel and in front of the Dagdusheth Temple:
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| In front of hotel; gorgeous, isn't it?! |
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| We can see clearly the use of powder and fingers. |
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| Kolam in basement hotel in front of their pandal. |
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| The materials that were used. |
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| Beautiful peacock at Dagdusheth temple |
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| This woman is making a kolam, that seems to become a lot bigger even. |
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| You can see her working with white powder. |
These women are real artists, as far as I am concerned!
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